CN114829696B

CN114829696B - washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN114829696B
Application number: CN202080087095.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 辻野圭则
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-20
Filing date: 2020-11-25
Publication date: 2023-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-25
Also published as: WO2021121000A1; CN114829696A; JP2021097846A

Abstract

The present invention provides a washing machine, comprising: a load amount detection unit (51) for detecting a load amount corresponding to the amount of laundry put into the washing/dehydrating tub at the start of a washing process; a set water amount determining unit (52) for determining the set water amount for supplying water to the washing and dehydrating tub based on the load amount detected by the load amount detecting unit (51); a first water amount change detection unit (53) which detects a water amount change between a first water amount in the washing/dehydrating tub when the cover is opened and a second water amount in the washing/dehydrating tub when the cover is closed, when the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted and the cover for opening/closing the inlet of the laundry is opened; a correction unit (55) for correcting the set water amount on the basis of the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detection unit (53); and a water amount adjustment unit (56) for adjusting the amount of water in the washing/dehydrating tub based on the set water amount corrected by the correction unit (55).

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine capable of performing a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process, for example.

Background

In the case of washing in a washing machine, after laundry is put into a washing and dehydrating tub, the washing machine is usually operated in a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process in this order. When the washing machine starts the washing process, the load corresponding to the amount of the washing articles put into the washing and dehydrating barrel is detected, and water is supplied to the washing and dehydrating barrel based on the set water amount according to the load. The load amount detection is performed in a state where water is not supplied into the washing and dehydrating tub, so that the amount of laundry can be appropriately detected.

On the other hand, when water is added to the washing and dehydrating tub at the start of the washing process, the amount of laundry cannot be detected, and it is difficult to determine the optimum set water amount. Further, in the case where the operation is started from the rinsing process in advance in a state where water is stored after the end of the washing process, it is considered that the rinsing process is performed by the set water amount that has been already determined, but it is unclear whether or not the set water amount is optimal with respect to the amount of laundry in which the rinsing process is performed.

For example, in the case of performing the rinsing process in a state where the amount of water is small relative to the amount of laundry, there is a problem in that the laundry is damaged or rinsing performance is lowered.

Therefore, there are the following washing machines as washing machines that perform a rinsing operation at a large water level setting in consideration of damage to cloth and a shortage of rinsing performance, but that reduce the amount of water used: when the operation is started from the rinsing process, if a certain amount or more of water is added in the state of starting the rinsing operation, it is determined that the washing process is performed and the cloth amount of the laundry is measured, and the rinsing set water level is set based on the water level at the time of starting the rinsing operation (for example, patent document 1).

However, as a case of starting from the rinsing process, a case of taking out a part of the laundry washed in the washing process or additionally separately washing the laundry to restart the rinsing process is considered. In this case, it is not appropriate to set the rinse set water level based on the water level at the start of the rinse operation, unlike the amount of laundry at the start of the cleaning process.

In the washing machine of patent document 1, it is determined whether or not a certain amount of water is added in the rinse operation start state, but it is unclear at which point in time after the washing process the operation is stopped, for example, when the operation is stopped in the middle of the draining operation of the washing process, there is a possibility that the final water level (an appropriate amount of water relative to the amount of laundry) of the washing process is smaller than that of the washing process. In such a case, the problem of damage to laundry or degradation of rinsing performance cannot be eliminated.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2018-79167

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine capable of performing washing or rinsing with an appropriate amount of water even in the case where the washing process or rinsing process is restarted after being interrupted.

Solution for solving the problem

Namely, the present invention is a washing machine capable of performing a washing process, a rinsing process and a dehydrating process, comprising: a load amount detection unit for detecting a load amount corresponding to the amount of laundry put into the washing and dehydrating tub at the beginning of the washing process; a set water amount determining unit for determining a set water amount for supplying water to the washing and dehydrating tub based on the load amount detected by the load amount detecting unit; a first water amount change detection means for detecting a water amount change between a first water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub when the lid is opened and a second water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub when the lid is closed, when the lid is opened and the laundry inlet is opened and the washing process is started after the set water amount is determined by the set water amount determination means and the washing process is stopped; a correction unit that corrects the set water amount based on the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detection unit in a case where the washing process or the rinsing process is restarted; and a water amount adjustment unit for adjusting the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub based on the set water amount corrected by the correction unit.

In the washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the correction unit reduces the set water amount when the first water amount is larger than the second water amount.

In the washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the correction unit increases the set water amount when the second water amount is larger than the first water amount.

In the washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the correction unit does not change the set water amount in a case where the first water amount is the same as the second water amount.

In the washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the set water amount determining means resets the set water amount that has been determined in a case where the lid is not opened until a first predetermined time elapses after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, or in a case where the lid is not closed until a second predetermined time elapses from when the lid is opened.

In the washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that: and a second water amount change detection unit that detects a water amount change between a third water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub at the time of restarting the washing process and a fourth water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub at the time of restarting the washing process when the washing process is restarted and the third water amount is larger than the fourth water amount, and corrects the set water amount based on the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detection unit and the water amount change detected by the second water amount change detection unit, when the washing process is restarted and the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detection unit is detected.

Effects of the invention

In the washing machine of the present invention, in case that the washing process or the rinsing process is restarted after being interrupted, the set water amount determined at the start of the washing process is corrected based on the water amount variation in the washing and dehydrating tub after the interruption. Therefore, even when the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, after a part of the laundry is taken out or the separately washed laundry is added, the washing or the rinsing of the laundry can be performed with an appropriate amount of water with respect to the amount of the laundry in the case where the washing process or the rinsing process is restarted after the interruption.

In the washing machine of the present invention, when the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub is reduced after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, it is considered that the amount of laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub is smaller than that in the interruption, and therefore, the set amount of water can be reduced to adjust the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub.

In the washing machine of the present invention, when the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub increases after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, it is considered that the amount of laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub is larger than that in the interruption, and therefore, the set amount of water can be increased to adjust the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub.

In the washing machine of the present invention, when the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub does not change after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, it is considered that the amount of laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub is the same as that at the time of interruption, and therefore the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub can not be changed.

In the washing machine of the present invention, when the cover 22 is not opened until the first predetermined time elapses after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, or when the cover 22 is not closed until the second predetermined time elapses after the cover 22 is opened, it is not necessary to perform control to restart the interrupted operation, and therefore the set water amount determined at the start of the washing process is reset.

In the washing machine of the present invention, even when the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub changes after the washing process is interrupted, when dry laundry is added, the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub may change due to the moisture contained in the laundry. In this case, when the set water amount determined at the start of the washing process is corrected based on the change in the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub after the interruption, the set water amount is not corrected to be proper. Therefore, the washing process is restarted without correcting the set water amount, and the change in the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub after restarting the washing process is corrected to the set water amount determined at the start of the washing process in consideration of the state in which the dry laundry contains water, thereby correcting to an appropriate set water amount.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a control block diagram of the washing machine 100 of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations in a case where the operation is interrupted after the end of the cleaning operation in the cleaning process.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the water amount correction determination.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations in a case where the operation is interrupted in the middle of a cleaning operation in the cleaning process.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for water replenishment determination.

Description of the drawings

3: washing a dehydration barrel; 21: a charging port; 22: a cover body; 50: a control unit; 51: a load amount detection unit (load amount detection means); 52: a set water amount determination unit (set water amount determination means); 53: a first water amount change detection unit (first water amount change detection means); 54: a second water amount change detection unit (second water amount change detection means); 55: a correction unit (correction means); 56: a water amount adjustment unit (water amount adjustment means); 100: a washing machine.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a washing machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The washing machine 100 is a vertical washing machine capable of performing a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dewatering process, and the washing machine 100 includes an outer casing 1, and a bottomed cylindrical tub 2 suspended in the outer casing 1 by a plurality of suspending rods, not shown. The washing and dehydrating tub 3 having a plurality of water passage holes around the periphery thereof is rotatably supported by a support shaft 4 fixed to the bottom wall thereof, and is rotatably supported by the inside of the outer tub 2. The stirring blade 5 is rotatably provided at the inner bottom of the washing and dehydrating tub 3 around an inner shaft 6 fitted in the support shaft 4.

The rotational power of the motor 7 mounted on the lower surface of the outer tub 2 is transmitted to the support shaft 4 and the inner shaft 6 via a transmission mechanism composed of a small pulley 9, a V-belt 10, a large pulley 11, and the like fixed to the motor shaft 8, and a power switching mechanism 14 including a clutch mechanism 12 and a torque motor 13.

Mainly during the washing operation and the rinsing operation, the clutch mechanism 12 releases the connection between the large pulley 11 and the support shaft 4 in response to the operation of the torque motor 13, and rotates the stirring vane 5 in one direction or both directions via the inner shaft 6. On the other hand, during the dehydration operation, the clutch mechanism 12 connects the large pulley 11 and the support shaft 4, and the washing and dehydrating tub 3 and the stirring vane 5 are rotated integrally in one direction.

A water supply pipe 15 connected to an external tap is disposed at the rear of the upper part of the outer case 1, and when a water supply valve 16 is opened, water introduced through the water supply pipe 15 flows into a water injection port 17 provided with a detergent container and is injected into the outer tub 2. On the other hand, a drain port 18 is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 2, and a drain pipe 19 connected to the drain port 18 is opened and closed by a drain valve 20.

The opening and closing operation of the drain valve 20 is as follows: when the stirring vane 5 is separated from the washing and dehydrating tub 3 and is in a state of being rotatable alone, the drain valve 20 is closed, and when the stirring vane 5 is rotated integrally with the washing and dehydrating tub 3, the drain valve 20 is opened. The opening and closing operation of the drain valve 20 can be independent of the operation.

The laundry inlet 21 opened in the upper surface of the outer casing 1 is provided with a cover 22 that can be opened and closed. A cover opening/closing sensing device 24 is provided in front of the upper part in the outer box 1.

An operation portion 61 including various key switches is provided on the upper surface of the outer case 1 on the side of the inlet 21, but is not shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is a control block diagram of the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in fig. 2, the control unit 50 of the washing machine 100 is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer or the like, and includes a CPU (central processing unit: central processing unit), a ROM (read-only memory) storing a program for controlling the operation of the washing machine 100, and a RAM (random accessmemory: random access memory) temporarily storing data and the like used when executing the program. The operation of the washing machine 1 is controlled by the control unit 50.

The control unit 50 includes: load amount detecting unit 51, set water amount determining unit 52, first water amount change detecting unit 53, second water amount change detecting unit 54, correcting unit 55, and water amount adjusting unit 56.

The load amount detection unit 51 detects a load amount corresponding to the amount of laundry put into the washing and dehydrating tub 3 at the start of the washing process. Specifically, the motor 7 is turned on for a short time to rotate the driving stirring vane 5, and then the load amount detection unit 51 counts pulse signals synchronized with the rotation of the motor 7 during the inertia rotation period when the motor 7 is turned off, and detects the load amount from the counted value. The greater the load, the greater the resistance to rotation of the stirring wing 5, and therefore the shorter the duration of the inert rotation.

The set water amount determining unit 52 determines the set water amount to be supplied to the washing and dehydrating tub 3 based on the load amount detected by the load amount detecting unit 51, and stores the determined set water amount. Specifically, the set water amount determining unit 52 determines the set water amount to be set in multiple levels or in a stepless manner based on the load amount. The set water amount determining unit 52 determines the set water amount so that the set water amount increases as the load amount increases.

The first water amount change detecting unit 53 detects a change in the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the lid 22 is opened and closed after the set water amount is determined by the set water amount determining unit 52 and the washing process is started and the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted.

Therefore, the first water amount change detecting portion 53 has a first water amount detecting portion 53a and a second water amount detecting portion 53b.

When the lid 22 is opened and closed after the interruption of the washing process or the rinsing process, the first water amount detection unit 53a detects the first water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the lid 22 is opened, based on the output of the water level sensor 62.

When the lid 22 is opened and closed after the interruption of the washing process or the rinsing process, the second water amount detection unit 53b detects the second water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the lid 22 is closed, based on the output of the water level sensor 62.

Thus, the first water amount change detecting unit 53 detects a change in water amount from when the lid 22 is opened to when the lid 22 is closed after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, based on the first water amount detected by the first water amount detecting unit 53a and the second water amount detected by the second water amount detecting unit 53b.

When the washing process is resumed after being interrupted, and the lid 22 is opened and closed after the interruption of the washing process and there is a change in the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3, the second water amount change detecting unit 54 detects a change in the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 after the resumption of the washing process.

Therefore, the second water amount change detecting portion 54 has a third water amount detecting portion 54a and a fourth water amount detecting portion 54b.

When the washing process is resumed after being interrupted, the third water amount detection unit 54a detects the third water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 at the time of resuming the washing process from the output of the water level sensor 62.

When the washing process is resumed after being stopped, the fourth water amount detection unit 54b detects the fourth water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the washing process is resumed and then is stopped again after a third predetermined time has elapsed, based on the output of the water level sensor 62.

Thus, the second water amount change detecting unit 54 detects a water amount change for a third predetermined time after the cleaning process is restarted after the interruption, based on the third water amount detected by the third water amount detecting unit 54a and the fourth water amount detected by the fourth water amount detecting unit 54b.

When the washing process or the rinsing process is resumed after being interrupted, the correction unit 55 corrects the set water amount stored in the set water amount determination unit 52 based on the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detection unit 53.

Specifically, when the first water amount change detecting unit 53 detects a decrease in the water amount (when the first water amount is larger than the second water amount), the correcting unit 55 considers that the amount of laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is decreased, and corrects the set water amount to be the decreased water amount α1. The water amount α1 (where α1 > 0) is a water amount corresponding to the decrease in the water amount detected by the first water amount change detecting portion 53.

When the first water amount change detecting unit 53 detects an increase in the water amount (when the first water amount is smaller than the second water amount), the correcting unit 55 considers that the amount of laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is increased, and corrects the set water amount to the increased water amount α2. The water amount α2 (where α2 > 0) is a water amount corresponding to the increase in the water amount detected by the first water amount change detecting portion 53.

When the first water amount change detecting unit 53 detects that the water amount is unchanged (when the first water amount is the same as the second water amount), the correcting unit 55 does not correct the set water amount.

Further, the correction portion 55 clears the set water amount in the case where the lid 22 is not opened until the first prescribed time elapses after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted and in the case where the lid 22 is not closed from when the lid 22 is opened until the second prescribed time elapses.

In addition, in the case where the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 decreases when the washing process is restarted after the washing process is interrupted, the correction part 55 corrects the set water amount based on the water amount change detected by the second water amount change detection part 54.

Specifically, when the second water amount change detecting unit 54 detects a decrease in the water amount (when the third water amount is larger than the fourth water amount), the correcting unit 55 considers that the dry laundry is put into the washing and dehydrating tub 3 after the washing process is interrupted, and corrects the set water amount to the increased water amount α3. The water amount α3 (where α3 > 0) is a water amount corresponding to the decrease in the water amount detected by the second water amount change detecting portion 54.

When the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, the water amount adjustment unit 56 adjusts the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 based on the set water amount corrected by the correction unit 55.

The control unit 50 is connected to an operation unit 61, the cover opening/closing sensing device 24, and a water level sensor 62. Accordingly, in the control section 50, an operation signal is input from the operation section 61, and an on/off signal is input from the cover opening/closing sensing device 24. The on signal from the cover opening/closing sensing device 24 indicates a closed state in which the cover 22 is closed, and the off signal from the cover opening/closing sensing device 24 indicates an open state in which the cover 22 is opened. Further, an output signal corresponding to the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is input from the water level sensor 62 to the control unit 50.

The motor 7, the torque motor 13, the water supply valve 16, and the drain valve 20 are connected to the control unit 50.

Therefore, the control unit 50 controls the motor 7 and the torque motor 13 to perform the washing operation of the washing machine 100. As the washing operation of the washing machine 100, a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process are sequentially performed. In the cleaning process, water supply, cleaning, drainage and dehydration are performed. In the rinsing process, water supply, rinsing, water discharge, and dehydration are performed. The control unit 50 controls the water supply valve 16 and the water discharge valve 20 to switch between supply of water to the washing and dehydrating tub 3 and discharge of water from the washing and dehydrating tub 3, thereby adjusting the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3.

The operation unit 61 is an operation panel having a plurality of operation keys, and includes, for example: a power key, an operation designating part including a mode key for selecting an operation mode, etc., a start/pause key for instructing start and pause of a washing operation, etc. In the following description, the start/pause key may be referred to as a start key when the start of the washing course is instructed, and the pause key when the pause of the washing course is instructed.

(case where the operation is interrupted after the end of the cleaning operation in the cleaning process)

The operation in the case where the operation is interrupted after the end of the cleaning operation in the cleaning process will be described with reference to fig. 3.

< step S1 >

When the user inputs the laundry into the washing/dehydrating tub 3 and presses the start key according to the appropriate setting of the operation unit 61, the control unit 50 starts the washing process in step S1.

< step S2 >

In step S2, the control unit 50 detects the load amount.

< step S3 >

In step S3, the control unit 50 determines the set water amount based on the load amount detected in step S2.

< step S4 >

In step S4, the control unit 50 performs a water supply operation for supplying water to the washing and dehydrating tub 3 based on the set water amount detected in step S3. Specifically, the control unit 50 opens the water supply valve 16 to supply water into the washing and dehydrating tub 3 to a water level corresponding to the set water amount.

< step S5 >

In step S5, the control unit 50 performs a cleaning operation. As the cleaning operation, the control unit 50 rotates the stirring vane 5 in one direction or both directions at a predetermined speed to perform the cleaning operation.

< step S6 >

When the user presses the pause key after the end of the cleaning operation, the control unit 50 interrupts the operation of the cleaning process in step S6.

< step S7 >

In step S7, the control unit 50 performs a water amount correction determination. Specifically, the control unit 50 sets the first correction flag to any one of 0, 1, and 2 or clears the set water amount based on the change in the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3. The water amount correction determination will be described in detail below.

< step S8 >

When the user presses the start key after interrupting the operation of the washing process, the control unit 50 adjusts the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 in steps S9 to S14 in step S8.

< step S9 >

In step S9, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the set water amount is determined based on the load amount, that is, whether or not the set water amount is not cleared. Then, the process advances to step S10.

< step S10 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S9 that the set water amount has been determined, the flow proceeds to step S10, where the control unit 50 determines whether or not the first correction flag is 0. When the control unit 50 determines that the first correction flag is 0 in step S10, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S15 without changing the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3.

< step S11 >)

If the control unit 50 determines in step S10 that the first correction flag is not 0, the flow proceeds to step S11, where the control unit 50 determines whether or not the first correction flag is 1.

< step S12 >

When the control unit 50 determines that the first correction flag is 1 in step S11, the flow proceeds to step S12, and the control unit 50 adjusts the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 so as to reduce the water amount α1, and then proceeds to step S15.

< step S13 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S11 that the first correction flag is not 1, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S13 because the first correction flag is 2, and the control unit 50 proceeds to step S15 after performing water amount adjustment so as to increase the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 by the water amount α2.

< step S14 >

When the control unit 50 determines in step S9 that the set water amount is cleared, the flow proceeds to step S14, and the control unit 50 adjusts the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 to the maximum water amount, and then proceeds to step S15.

< step S15 >

The control part 50 restarts from the rinsing process. As a rinsing process, the control unit 50 performs the storage rinsing by supplying water by a predetermined amount into the washing and dehydrating tub 3 and rotating the stirring vanes 5 in the same manner as the washing operation in step S5. When the rinsing process is finished, the control part 50 opens the drain valve 20 to drain the water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3.

< step S16 >

As the dehydration process, the control part 50 performs final dehydration by rotating the washing and dehydrating tub 3 integrally with the stirring vane 5 at a high speed.

(Water amount correction determination)

The process of the water amount correction determination in step S7 described above will be described with reference to fig. 4.

< step S101 >

In step S101, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the cover 22 is opened after the operation is interrupted.

< step S102 >)

When it is determined in step S101 that the cover 22 is opened by the control unit 50, the flow proceeds to step S102, where the first water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the cover 22 is opened is detected. Then, the process advances to step S103.

< step S103 >)

In step S103, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the cover 22 is closed.

< step S104 >)

If it is determined in step S103 that the lid 22 is closed by the control unit 50, the flow proceeds to step S104, where the second water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the lid 22 is closed is detected. Then, the process advances to step S105.

< step S105 >)

In step S105, the control unit 50 compares the first water amount with the second water amount to determine whether or not the water amount is reduced. The control unit 50 determines that the water amount is reduced when the difference between the first water amount and the second water amount is greater than 0, and determines that the water amount is not reduced when the difference between the first water amount and the second water amount is equal to or less than 0.

< step S106 >

When the control unit 50 determines in step S105 that the water amount has decreased, the flow proceeds to step S106, where the first correction flag is set to 1, and the process is terminated.

< step S107 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S105 that the water amount is not reduced, the flow proceeds to step S107, and the control unit 50 compares the first water amount with the second water amount to determine whether or not the water amount is increased. The control unit 50 determines that the water amount is increased when the water amount difference obtained by subtracting the first water amount from the second water amount is greater than 0, and determines that the water amount is unchanged when the water amount difference obtained by subtracting the first water amount from the second water amount is 0, and ends the process.

< step S108 >

When the control unit 50 determines in step S107 that the water amount has decreased, the flow proceeds to step S108, where the first correction flag is set to 2, and the process is terminated.

< step S109 >)

If the control unit 50 determines in step S107 that the amount of water has not changed, the flow proceeds to step S109, where the first correction flag is set to 0, and the process ends.

< step S110 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S101 that the lid 22 is not opened, the flow proceeds to step S110, where the control unit 50 determines whether or not a first predetermined time has elapsed after the operation is interrupted. When the control unit 50 determines in step S110 that the first predetermined time has not elapsed, the flow proceeds to step S101.

< step S111 >)

If it is determined in step S103 that the lid 22 is not closed by the control unit 50, the flow proceeds to step S111, where it is determined whether or not a second predetermined time has elapsed after the lid 22 is opened. When the control unit 50 determines in step S111 that the second predetermined time has not elapsed, the flow proceeds to step S103.

< step S112 >)

If the control unit 50 determines in step S110 that the first predetermined time has elapsed and if the control unit 50 determines in step S111 that the second predetermined time has elapsed, the routine proceeds to step S112, where the set water amount is cleared, and the process ends.

(in the case where the operation is interrupted during the cleaning operation in the cleaning process)

The operation in the case where the operation is interrupted during the cleaning operation in the cleaning process will be described with reference to fig. 5.

< step S201 >

When the user inputs the laundry into the washing/dehydrating tub 3 and presses the start key by appropriately setting the operation unit 51, the control unit 50 starts the washing process in step S201.

< step S202 >)

In step S202, the control unit 50 detects the load amount.

< step S203 >)

In step S203, the control unit 50 determines the set water amount based on the load amount detected in step S202.

< step S204 >

In step S204, the control unit 50 performs a water supply operation for supplying water to the washing and dehydrating tub 3 based on the set water amount detected in step S203. Specifically, the control unit 50 opens the water supply valve 16 to supply water into the washing and dehydrating tub 3 to a water level corresponding to the set water amount.

< step S205 >

In step S205, the control unit 50 starts a cleaning operation. As the cleaning operation, the control unit 50 rotates the stirring vane 5 in one direction or both directions at a predetermined speed to perform the cleaning operation.

< step S206 >

When the user presses the pause key after the start of the cleaning operation, the control unit 50 interrupts the operation in the middle of the cleaning operation in the cleaning process in step S206.

< step S207 >

In step S207, the control unit 50 performs a water amount correction determination. Specifically, in the water amount correction determination, the control unit 50 sets the first correction flag to any one of 0, 1, and 2 or clears the set water amount.

< step S208 >

When the user presses the start key in step S208, the control unit 50 adjusts the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 in steps S209 to S219.

< step S209 >)

In step S209, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the set water amount is determined based on the load amount, that is, whether or not the set water amount is not cleared. Then, the process advances to step S210.

< step S210 >

When the control unit 50 determines in step S209 that the set water amount is determined, the flow proceeds to step S210, and the control unit 50 determines whether or not the first correction flag is 0. When the control unit 50 determines that the first correction flag is 0 in step S210, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S220 without changing the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3.

< step S211 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S210 that the first correction flag is not 0, the flow advances to step S211, where the control unit 50 performs water replenishment determination. Specifically, the control unit 50 sets the second correction flag to 1 when the water amount decreases for the third predetermined time from the restart of the washing process after the interruption. That is, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the water amount is further required to be replenished after the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is corrected by the water amount correction determination. The water amount replenishment determination will be described in detail below. Then, the process advances to step S212.

< step S212 >

In step S212, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the first correction flag is 1.

< step S213 >

When the control unit 50 determines that the first correction flag is 1 in step S212, the process advances to step S213, where the control unit 50 determines whether the second correction flag is 1.

< step S214 >)

If the control unit 50 determines in step S213 that the second correction flag is not 1, the flow proceeds to step S214, and the control unit 50 adjusts the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 so as to reduce the water amount α1, and then proceeds to step S220.

< step S215 >)

When the control unit 50 determines that the second correction flag is 1 in step S213, the flow proceeds to step S215, and the control unit 50 adjusts the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 so as to reduce the water amount α1, and then further adjusts the water amount so as to increase the water amount α3, and then proceeds to step S220.

< step S216 >)

If the control unit 50 determines in step S212 that the first correction flag is not 1, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S216 because the first correction flag is 2, and determines whether the second correction flag is 1.

< step S217 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S216 that the second correction flag is not 1, the flow proceeds to step S217, and the control unit 50 adjusts the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 so as to increase the water amount α2, and then proceeds to step S220.

< step S218 >)

If the control unit 50 determines that the second correction flag is 1 in step S216, the flow proceeds to step S218, where the control unit 50 adjusts the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 so as to increase the water amount α2, and then further supplements the water amount so as to increase the water amount α3, and then proceeds to step S220.

< step S219 >

When the control unit 50 determines in step S209 that the set water amount is cleared, the flow proceeds to step S219, and the control unit 50 adjusts the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 to the maximum water amount, and then proceeds to step S220.

< step S220 >

The control unit 50 resumes the cleaning operation of the cleaning process. When the cleaning process ends, the process advances to step S221.

< step S221 >)

As a rinsing process, the control unit 50 performs the storage rinsing by supplying water by a predetermined amount into the washing and dehydrating tub 3 and rotating the stirring vanes 5 in the same manner as the washing operation in step S205. When the rinsing process is finished, the control part 50 opens the drain valve 20 to drain the water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3.

< step S222 >

(determination of Water quantity supplement)

The process of the water volume replenishment determination in step 211 described above will be described with reference to fig. 6.

< step S301 >)

In step S301, the control unit 50 detects a third amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 at the start of the washing operation. Then, the process advances to step S302.

< step S302 >)

In step S302, the control unit 50 starts a cleaning operation.

< step S303 >

In step S303, the control unit 50 determines whether or not a third predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the cleaning operation. When the control unit 50 determines in step S303 that the third predetermined time has not elapsed, the control unit 50 continues the cleaning operation.

< step S304 >)

When the control unit 50 determines in step S303 that the third predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 50 interrupts the cleaning operation. Then, the process advances to step S305.

< step S305 >

In step S305, the control unit 50 detects a fourth amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the washing operation is interrupted. Then, the process advances to step S306.

< step S306 >

In step S306, the control unit 50 compares the third water amount with the fourth water amount to determine whether or not the water amount is reduced. The control unit 50 determines that the water amount is reduced when the water amount difference of the third water amount minus the fourth water amount is greater than 0, and determines that the water amount is not reduced when the water amount difference of the third water amount minus the fourth water amount is 0 or less. If the control unit 50 determines in step S306 that the water amount is not reduced, the process ends.

< step S307 >

If the control unit 50 determines in step S306 that the water amount has decreased, the flow proceeds to step S307, where the second correction flag is set to 1, and the process ends.

The washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment is a washing machine capable of performing a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process, and includes: a load amount detection unit 51 as load amount detection means for detecting a load amount corresponding to the amount of laundry put into the washing and dehydrating tub 3 at the start of the washing process 0; a set water amount determining unit 52 as set water amount determining means for determining the set water amount to be supplied to the washing and dehydrating tub 3 based on the load amount detected by the load amount detecting unit 51; the first water amount change detecting unit 53 as the first water amount change detecting means detects a water amount change between the first water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the lid 22 is opened and the second water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 when the lid 22 is closed when the lid 22 is opened, in a case where the lid 22 that opens and closes the laundry inlet 21 is opened after the set water amount is determined by the set water amount determining unit 52 and the washing process is started; a correction unit 55 as correction means for correcting the set water amount based on the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detection unit 53 when the cleaning process or the rinsing process is restarted; and a water amount adjustment unit 56 as water amount adjustment means for adjusting the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 based on the set water amount corrected by the correction unit 55.

Thus, in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, when the washing process or the rinsing process is restarted after being interrupted, the set water amount determined at the start of the washing process is corrected based on the change in the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 after the interruption. Therefore, even when the washing process or the rinsing process is restarted after a part of the laundry is taken out or the separately washed laundry is added after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, the washing or the rinsing of the laundry can be performed with an appropriate amount of water with respect to the amount of the laundry.

In the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, the correction unit 55 reduces the set water amount when the first water amount is larger than the second water amount.

In this way, in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, when the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 decreases after the interruption of the washing process or the rinsing process, it is considered that the amount of laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is smaller than that in the interruption, and therefore, the set amount of water can be reduced to adjust the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3.

In the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, the correction unit 55 increases the set water amount when the second water amount is larger than the first water amount.

In this way, in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, when the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 increases after the interruption of the washing process or the rinsing process, it is considered that the amount of laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is larger than that in the interruption, and therefore, the set amount of water can be increased to adjust the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3.

In the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, the correction unit 55 does not change the set water amount when the first water amount is the same as the second water amount.

Thus, in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, when the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 does not change after the interruption of the washing process or the rinsing process, it is considered that the amount of laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is the same as that at the time of the interruption, and therefore, the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 can be prevented from changing.

In the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, the set water amount determining unit 52 resets the set water amount that has been determined when the cover 22 is not opened until the first predetermined time elapses after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, or when the cover 22 is not closed until the second predetermined time elapses from when the cover 22 is opened.

In this way, in the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment, when the lid 22 is not opened until the first predetermined time elapses after the interruption of the washing process or the rinsing process, or when the lid 22 is not closed until the second predetermined time elapses from the time when the lid 22 is opened, there is no need to perform control to restart the interrupted operation, and therefore, the set water amount determined at the time of the start of the washing process is reset.

The washing machine 100 of the present embodiment includes: the second water amount change detecting unit 54 as the second water amount change detecting means detects a water amount change between the third water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 at the time of restarting the washing process and the fourth water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 at the time of restarting the washing process when the washing process is stopped and restarted, and when the washing process is restarted and the third water amount is larger than the fourth water amount, the correcting unit 55 corrects the set water amount based on the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detecting unit 53 and the water amount change detected by the second water amount change detecting unit 54, when the washing process is restarted and the third water amount is larger than the fourth water amount.

Thus, in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, even when the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 changes after the washing process is interrupted, when the dry laundry is added, the amount of water in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 may change due to the moisture contained in the laundry. In this case, when the set water amount determined at the start of the washing process is corrected based on the change in the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 after the interruption, the set water amount is not corrected to be proper. Therefore, the washing process is restarted without correcting the set water amount, and the change in the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub 3 after restarting the washing process is corrected to the set water amount determined at the start of the washing process in consideration of the state in which the dry laundry contains water, thereby correcting to an appropriate set water amount.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the specific configurations of the respective parts are not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, in the above embodiment, the description has been made of the operation in the case where the operation is interrupted after the end of the washing operation of the washing process and the operation in the case where the operation is interrupted in the middle of the washing operation of the washing process, but the same applies to the operation in the case where the operation is interrupted at different stages of the washing process or the rinsing process.

In the above embodiment, the description was given of the case where the operation is interrupted by the user pressing the pause key, and the same applies to the case where the operation is interrupted by the user pressing the power key.

In the above embodiment, the washing machine 100 may have a display unit, and when the set water amount is corrected, the content may be displayed on the display unit. Further, after the content of the corrected set water amount is displayed on the display unit, the correction of the set water amount may be released by a specific operation until a predetermined release time elapses.

Claims

1. A washing machine capable of performing a washing process, a rinsing process and a dehydrating process, comprising:

a load amount detection unit for detecting a load amount corresponding to the amount of laundry put into the washing and dehydrating tub at the beginning of the washing process;

a set water amount determining unit for determining a set water amount for supplying water to the washing and dehydrating tub based on the load amount detected by the load amount detecting unit;

a first water amount change detection means for detecting a water amount change between a first water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub when the lid is opened and a second water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub when the lid is closed, when the lid is opened and the laundry inlet is opened and the washing process is started after the set water amount is determined by the set water amount determination means and the washing process is stopped;

a correction unit that corrects the set water amount based on the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detection unit in a case where the washing process or the rinsing process is restarted; and

a water amount adjustment unit for adjusting the water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub based on the set water amount corrected by the correction unit;

a second water amount change detecting unit that detects a water amount change between a third water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub at the restart of the washing process and a fourth water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub at the restart of the washing process, in a case where the washing process is restarted after the interruption, and in a case where the water amount change is detected by the first water amount change detecting unit,

the correction unit corrects the set water amount based on the water amount change detected by the first water amount change detection unit and the water amount change detected by the second water amount change detection unit when the washing process is restarted and the third water amount is more than the fourth water amount;

the first water amount change detection unit has a first water amount detection portion and a second water amount detection portion;

the first water amount detection part detects the first water amount in the washing and dehydrating barrel when the cover body is opened according to the output of the water level sensor under the condition that the cover body is opened and closed after the cleaning process or the rinsing process is interrupted;

the second water amount detecting part detects a second water amount in the washing and dehydrating barrel when the cover is closed according to the output of the water level sensor when the cover is opened and closed after the cleaning process or the rinsing process is interrupted;

the first water amount change detecting means detects a change in water amount from when the lid is opened to when the lid is closed after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, based on the first water amount detected by the first water amount detecting means and the second water amount detected by the second water amount detecting means;

the second water amount change detection unit has a third water amount detection portion and a fourth water amount detection portion;

the third water amount detecting unit detects a third water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub at the restart of the washing process based on an output of the water level sensor when the washing process is restarted after the interruption of the washing process;

the fourth water amount detecting unit detects a fourth water amount in the washing and dehydrating tub when the washing process is restarted and then is interrupted again after a third predetermined time has elapsed from the restart of the washing process, based on an output of the water level sensor;

the second water amount change detecting means detects a water amount change for the third predetermined time after restarting the washing process after the interruption of the washing process, based on the third water amount detected by the third water amount detecting means and the fourth water amount detected by the fourth water amount detecting means.

2. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that,

the correction unit reduces the set water amount when the first water amount is larger than the second water amount.

3. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that,

the correction unit increases the set water amount when the second water amount is larger than the first water amount.

4. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that,

the correction unit does not change the set water amount in the case where the first water amount is the same as the second water amount.

5. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that,

the set water amount determining unit resets the set water amount that has been determined in a case where the cover is not opened until a first prescribed time elapses after the washing process or the rinsing process is interrupted, or in a case where the cover is not closed until a second prescribed time elapses from when the cover is opened.